DISCLAIMER: This is a shortee…just something that popped into my head and motivated by my desperate need to finish this fic. Hope it measures up, nonetheless. Oh, and I only own the cat. Be blessed.
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CHAPTER 7 – Decisions
"I have made a decision."
All four ninjas looked up at their master, wondering what kind of decision he had made. The rat walked into the living area, his cane tapping the floor as he did. He stood, now, at the table, looking at the four who were seated, their newly arrived second pizza nearly gone. The Cat lay by Mike's feet, content after nearly devouring all the cheese from the first pizza.
Raphael remembered the last time he had made such a declaration. That was when Splinter thought that their ninja practices weren't intense enough, so he added additional practice times. As Raph looked at his sensei, dread filled his mind.
Leonardo pondered about what his master had just said, too. A decision could mean many things, as far as he was concerned. It could mean more practice time, or less – but he highly doubted the latter. Maybe a different patrol route. Possibly even adding to their armament and enhancing their weapons collections. Leo waited expectantly.
Mike shook his head, not at all looking forward to whatever it was Master Splinter had to say. The last time the rat had decided on something, it meant less to eat. It seemed he thought his sons were gaining too much weight and so he limited their food intake for a while –as well as adding more practice time in the dojo. He put his head in his hands and groaned.
Donatello wondered if maybe Splinter might have finally decided to let him search out that bigger junk yard on the other side of Manhattan. He had tried recently to explain to his sensei the importance of outfitting the lair with as many high tech gadgets as he could, yet the current junk yard was nearly tapped out. Consequently, he needed better 'fishing' grounds. A smile spread across his face in anticipation.
Leo finally asked, confident about what his master had decided, "Are we going to maybe add to our weapons collection or patrol a new route?"
Splinter shook his head and replied, "No." As he was about to explain his decision, Raphael spoke up next.
"Are you going to add to our practice time, Sensei?" He groaned out.
"No, but that isn't such a bad idea, Raphael." The rat answered. "Thank you for showing such interest!" He seemed pleased.
Mike and Donatello both groaned, with Mike kicking Raphael in the leg, "Nice goin', Raph!" he seethed.
Leo smiled.
"Hey, how was I to know?" the turtle in red replied defensively, now rubbing his sore shin.
Mike ventured a guess as he grimaced, "Are – you going to put us on another – diet?" His voice weakened just a little as he uttered the last word. He was sure, with the other two being incorrect, that his was the most likely.
Master Splinter scowled down at his sons and shook his head once again, saying somewhat irritably, "No, I am not."
Mike let out an audibly sigh, quite relieved and, therefore, a bit more chipper.
Again, as Splinter started to explain, he was interrupted, this time by Donatello.
The purple masked turtle asked, quite confident that his assumptions were correct, "Cool, that means you're giving me the okay to check out that newer junk yard!"
"No, I will not, Donatello." Splinter said in exasperation. He saw his son's smile fade, obviously crestfallen and disappointed.
Leo was totally confused, "Then, what have you decided, Master Splinter?"
Sighing in frustration, the rat answered, "If you had been patient, I would have told you by now."
All four then asked him, "Told us what?"
"That I have made a decision…" he began, pausing to grab their attention, "…that the cat must be returned to topside and if at all possible, be given back to its true owner."
Mike stared in disbelief at his master. Leo rubbed the top of his hand and tried not to smile, as did Donatello, whose didn't have much of a choice in that matter. His face was already too stiff with bandages to grin as it was.
Raphael, however, leaped up out of his chair, pumping his fist in the air and giving out a cheer so loud, that the Cat jumped up in fright. Tearing away from Mike in his desperate rush to hide, the Cat dashed for the couch…only Raphael was in his way. With his fear motivating him and his way blocked, the Cat did the only thing he could – he ran in between the turtle's legs. This would have been quite fine except that Raph hadn't seen him. He was too busy pumping air and leaping up while shouting for joy. Consequently, when he came down from one of his exuberant leaps, he landed right on top of the Cat's tail.
The rest shall remain untold for those with tender ears and my need to keep this story rated PG. It goes without saying that Raphael earned a few more battle scars and the Cat lost one vinyl nail nub through the aforementioned scene.
